Soft enrages are designed to increase the difficulty of a boss encounter and wipe groups who are performing poorly. Soft enrages take many forms. Some are invoked at a fixed point in an encounter (for example, the boss may receive a buff when it reaches a certain HP), and some become apparent only when the group makes mistakes or doesn't properly handle certain elements of the fight (for example, letting [[add]]s or stacking [[debuff]]s get out of control).

+

Soft enrages are designed to increase the difficulty of a boss encounter and wipe groups who are performing poorly. Soft enrages take many forms. Some are invoked at a fixed point in an encounter (for example, the boss may receive a buff when it reaches a certain HP), and some become apparent only when the group makes mistakes or doesn't properly handle the elements of the fight (for example, letting [[add]]s or stacking [[debuff]]s get out of control).

Examples:

Examples:

Revision as of 16:48, October 19, 2010

Enrage, also known as berserk or frenzy, generally describes a boss ability which increases its damage output. Frequently, bosses have a hard enrage timer to limit the possible length of the encounter, others may have a soft enrage as part of their normal abilities, and some have both. Certain mobs and players also have Enrage effects that Rogues and Hunters can dispel.

Hard enrage

Hard enrages are designed to wipe a group if the boss is not defeated in a certain length of time. Without a hard enrage mechanic, killing a boss would just be a question of having enough healers who don't run out of mana. It adds some urgency to the encounter, and prevents undergeared raids from killing the boss.

The time at which the boss enrages depends on the encounter. When the enrage occurs, the boss's damage output will increase greatly and generally the fight will not be survivable unless the boss is close to death. Not all bosses have a hard enrage timer; the bosses without one usually use a soft enrage mechanic instead.

Examples:

Deathbringer Saurfang: After 8 minutes he goes Berserk, increasing his attack and movement speed by 150%, increasing all damage he deals by 500%, and granting immunity to taunt effects.

The Lich King: After 15 minutes he goes Berserk, increasing his attack speed by 150% and all damage he deals by 900%.

Heigan the Unclean: None. Fights lasting over 30 minutes have been reported for this boss.

Soft enrage

Soft enrages are designed to increase the difficulty of a boss encounter and wipe groups who are performing poorly. Soft enrages take many forms. Some are invoked at a fixed point in an encounter (for example, the boss may receive a buff when it reaches a certain HP), and some become apparent only when the group makes mistakes or doesn't properly handle the elements of the fight (for example, letting adds or stacking debuffs get out of control).

Examples:

Deathbringer Saurfang: When he is down to 30% health, he goes into a Frenzy, increasing his attack speed by 30%.

Lady Vashj: In the final phase Spore Bats will spawn. If players let too many bats spawn, wiping is inevitable.

Professor Putricide: The final phase has two soft enrage mechanics. If he is not killed fast enough Mutated Plague will stack too high and become unhealable. In addition, slime puddles continually form on the ground and will eventually overrun the room, wiping the raid.

Enrage effect

Enrage effects are a type of buff that can be dispelled with a Rogue's [Shiv] or a Hunter's [Tranquilizing Shot]. These are similar to normal boss enrages, but are short duration and can usually be healed through.

Examples:

Saviana Ragefire: Enrages every so often, increasing her attack speed by 150% and periodically casting Fire Nova for 10 seconds.

Icehowl: If he hits someone during Massive Crash, he goes into a Frothing Rage, increasing physical damage and attack speed by 50% for 15 seconds.

Shambling Horror: Enrages every so often, increasing its physical damage by 200% for 5 seconds.

Druid: [Savage Roar] increases autoattack damage by 50%. Duration depends on the number of combo point used.